The Eternal Valkyrie: War of the Realms (HTTYD fic)

Part 15

Chapter 14

Astrid covered her mouth in shock while the others looked away when the fireball headed for Hiccup. "I can't look!" Fishlegs had shouted in distress. Meanwhile, Toothless heard Hiccup's mental message to stand down even when he was looking a giant inferno in the eye. The Nightfury would have leaped to Hiccup's defense if not for the last mental message Hiccup had sent 'Trust me bud.' So Toothless stayed his ground even though it was hard to watch.

The group let out a collective breath when the fireball actually sailed over Hiccup's head and hit the pillar in the back. Only a couple of strands of Hiccup's hair were singed. Sutr let out a laugh before saying "Well damn. That certainly took some guts. I guess I will believe you..... For now." Before Hiccup could even think to reply he was beset by both Astrid and Toothless. The lather tackling him to the ground before growling "Don't you ever do that again!"

"OOF" Hiccup had the wind knocked out of him when the Nightfury sat on him in his normal form. "Toothless..... Heavy...." Hiccup grunted before he looked up to see the amused expression on Astrid's face.

"Milady could you help me out here?" He asked hoping that Astrid could talk some sense into Toothless who was starting to get mighty comfortable on top of him.

"Nope," Astrid said as she crossed her arms. "This should teach you not to do crazy stunts like that again."

"Astrid!" Hiccup's voice rose. "Astrid! You can't leave me as a dragon pillow! GUYS!!" But the others agreed with Astrid and let hiccup suffer the overprotectiveness of a Nightfury.

"Toothless, watch him will you," Astrid asked the dragon who gave a yawn before laying completely on Hiccup.

"Toothless!!! Bud!! Come on!! I need to get up!!" Hiccup pleaded but it fell on deaf earplates as Toothless mentally started to admonish him for that reckless act.

The gang had meanwhile turned back to see that Sutr had resumed his place on the throne and was watching the proceedings with what seemed to be indifference. Astrid however did notice that the edge of the giant's mouth quirked up for a second. The gang ignored Hiccup, still trapped under Toothless, and Astrid asked "The crown, it was in your possession before?"

"It was," Sutr confirmed, now a lot more cooperative when he felt he could trust them somewhat.

"And you gave it to Ve and Vili?"

"I did," While Astrid was glad that Sutr was cooperating, his two worded answers weren't getting them far.

"Who convinced you to hand over the crown to ve and Vili?" The question came from Hiccup as he tried to crawl out from under Toothless. Sutr was silent for a moment as his lips pursed before he growled "Laufey!"

Hiccup's and the gangs' eyes widened upon hearing that name.

"The one who wanted to marry Freya but got Thor in a wedding dress?" Snotlout asked confused.

"Wrong Jothun king Snot." Hiccup said as he then turned to Toothless. "Bud I promise I won't be standing still anymore when something that can turn me crispy comes hurtling towards me. Can you let me go now?" Toothless was pensive for a moment before seemingly nodding and hopping off of Hiccup. Some of Hiccup's bones were cracking as he stretched and then he turned to Toothless and said "I'm putting you on a diet." The Nightfury's eyes widened as Toothless looked horrified at that prospect. Stormfly and the other dragons who were watching over their riders stifled their laughter.

Odin had theorized on how Thor might have gotten possessed so Hiccup asked "Did Laufey know that a piece of Ymir's soul resided in the crown?"

"Did he know?!" Sutr snorted. "That sorry excuse for a Jothun wasted no moment trying to get his hands on it."

"Then why hand it over now?" Astrid asked.

"Wouldn't you do the same thing if there was a chance to see your beloved returned?" Sutr asked back. Sutr however didn't wait for an answer as he held a hand up silencing any and everyone. The giant frowned before mumbling "send her up".

Soon the imposing doors opened and the gangs saw the lava cats escort none other than Sigyn into the throne room. Only this Sigyn wasn't the geeky head librarian they had become acquainted with. She carried herself like a warrior ready for battle and was dressed in light female Asgardian golden armor and carried with her a warhammer. Snotlout gave an appreciative whistle as he took in the weapon she could lift with ease.

"Sigyn what's going on?" Tyr asked all the sudden more apprehensive than ever. Both Hiccup and Astrid wondered if Sigyn donning battle armor was a very bad omen.

"You all must come with me immediately to Jotunheim. Odin sent an advance force in to track his brothers. We have lost contact with the entire scouting party." She explained. 

AN: Short chapter I know. My hands are currently inflamed due to an allergic reaction to Chloride which makes typing difficult. You guys have all been such awesome readers that I just couldn't leave Y'all without an update. :3